9 Fighters with the Fastest Hands in the UFC Today

Because hand speed translates to punching power—hand speed is a factor that dictates many stand-up exchanges in the UFC, always has and always will.

Some fighters come into this world with fists destined to become heat-seeking missiles, while others must constantly refine their speed with bag and focus pad work in the practice room.

The fighters on this list not only were born with undeniable pop in their fists, they also perfected the art of delivering a swift blow to an opponent's head or body through years of religiously partaking in arduous training rituals.

Honorable Mention

9. Vitor Belfort

Vitor Belfort turned 36 this month, but the Brazilian slugger looked more like a 26 year old in his TKO win over Michael Bisping at UFC on FX 7.

The former light heavyweight champ has admitted to undergoing Testosterone Replacement Therapy, but that doesn't diminish the fact that Belfort used his lightning fast hands to KO 14 opponents before Bisping.

One of Belfort's best illustrations of hand velocity occurred early in his near 17-year-career at UFC Brazil. A charging Belfort landed countless one-two combinations on Wanderlei Silva and scored a highlight-reel TKO win just 44 seconds into the fight.

5. Frankie Edgar

In a high-paced, back-and-forth scrap, Jose Aldo narrowly trumped Frankie Edgar at his own game at UFC 156 to once again defend his featherweight strap.

Edgar dropped his third straight fight in heartbreaking fashion to a speedy champion in Aldo.

Benson Henderson edged Edgar in back-to-back lightweight title fights in his two previous outings.

But before controversial losses to a pair of the company's fastest fighters, no opponent had managed to get the best of Edgar in the speed department.

A cunning and cerebral fighter with excellent footwork, "The Answer" has used his speed and elusiveness to outbox the likes of Gray Maynard, B.J. Penn (twice), Sean Sherk, Tyson Griffin and Jim Miller, among others.

2. John Dodson

A lack of speed surely didn't cause John Dodson to get thoroughly outstruck by champ Demetrious Johnson in their flyweight title fight at UFC on FX 6.

Truth be told, Dodson threw furious combinations for five rounds and looked every bit as fast as "Mighty Mouse." Unfortunately for "The Magician," Johnson threw his punches at a much higher clip with much better refinement and accuracy.

What Dodson lacks in technique he makes up for in sheer speed and power.

The 28-year-old New Mexico native, who holds impressive TKO finishes over T.J. Dillashaw and Jussier Formiga, may not outpoint guys like Johnson just yet, but with help from striking coach Mike Winkeljohn, he easily could some day.

Just give his raw gifts a chance to evolve, and Dodson has the potential to become an even more exciting champ than Mighty Mouse.